314 change makers join SI’s leadership programmes in 2025

The Swedish Institute continues its commitment to fostering leadership for sustainable development and democratic resilience. In 2025, four leadership programmes are organised with the aim of empowering leaders in civil society and business organisations across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Impact Pioneers, She Entrepreneurs, SI Global Executives Programme and SI Leader Lab – are hybrid that focus on strengthening leadership skills, offering insights to recent trends, and fostering collaborations. The programmes include a one-week experience in Stockholm where participants conduct study-visits, learn from Swedish practices and network among peers.

New for 2025 is a closer collaboration with Team Sweden stakeholders such as Business Sweden, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Sweden’s Innovation Agency (VINNOVA), Swedfund, among others. Together, we aim to streamline efforts and building stronger synergies between programme participants and Swedish stakeholders around the world.

We are proud to welcome all 314 leaders to this year’s leadership programme. Read more about the work we do to empower leaders here

Programmes

Impact Pioneers‘25

Launched in 2024 as a pilot initiative, Impact Pioneers returns for its second edition in 2025. The programme brings together leaders from entrepreneurship ecosystems – representing accelerators, innovation hubs and organisations that support entrepreneurs – for an eight-week hybrid exchange. This year, the programme has the thematic focus of ‘Enabling Climate Tech entrepreneurship’. From almost 1200 applicants, 64 participants, from 26 countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East have been invited to connect for the dynamic international peer exchange starting late August. Other than sharing experiences and developing ideas for new partnerships between them, participants will gain insights and inspiration from the Swedish Climate Tech startup ecosystem through online weekly sessions and gather in Stockholm for an immersive one-week on-site conference.

She Entrepreneurs

She Entrepreneurs gathers impact driven female founders from the Middle East and North Africa for a six-month long hybrid programme. In 2025, the focus is on enterprises developing sustainable climate solutions. 32 entrepreneurs were selected to receive leadership training, business development tools and mentoring. The participating entrepreneurs represent businesses in sustainable energy, clean water, food production, manufacturing, infrastructure and transportation.

SI Global Executives Programme

Now in its second year, the SI Global Executive Programme empowers senior business leaders from companies ready to tackle sustainability challenges. The eight-month hybrid programme welcomes 107 executives from 24 countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America. Participants gain expertise in strategic business development for sustainability and the green transition, how to lead through change and complexity, and benefits from company visits and a new matchmaking initiative at the ‘Global Executive Forum’ connecting them with Swedish companies and organisations in renewable energy, responsible mining, sustainable manufacturing, transportation and infrastructure.

SI Leader Lab

SI Leader Lab brings together leaders in civil society, culture and media who are dedicated to democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression. In 2025, the programme welcomed 111 leaders from Eastern Europe, the Western Balkan and Türkiye to strengthen their leadership skills, enhance their advocacy efforts, and engage in peer learning and exchange.
A new feature for this year was the networking conference co-organised with Idell Arena, which brought together Swedish civil society leaders and international participants to share experiences and foster collaboration.